Position overview 

As we build our capability in the UK Living sector, we are looking for a talented Portfolio Investment Manager to join the team.

Working for Ben O’Connor, Portfolio Investment Director, this role is crucial to Apache’s growth.  As part of the Investment Team, the Portfolio Investment Manager will deliver new business pricing and analysis, manage transactions and debt, oversee investor and shareholder reporting, and provide financial and underwriting support to the Investment Committee.

Modelling, investor diligence and previous experience of working in institutional real estate at a senior level are a must.

With 8,000 BTR units both operational and in the pipeline, representing over £3bn and ambitions to continue to scale, now is the perfect time to join us and be part of our Growth Story.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Analysis & Reporting

• Responsible for Apache Board and periodic investor reporting. Build and maintain reporting models to track key performance and operational metrics for existing assets.
• Responsible for all investor reporting that is accurate, insightful and in line with the contractual reporting requirements.
• Develop improved investor reporting models and templates to provide market leading insight to investors.
• Support the valuation process with the external valuers at both investor and debt levels.
• Responsible for any ad hoc analysis requested by investors across the portfolio.

New Business Pricing and Analysis 

• Responsible for building and maintaining new business models for all multi and single-family appraisals to support the New Business Team.
• Responsible for maintaining a detailed internal database of revenue, cost and returns assumptions for both multi and single family new business deals that underpin the models.
• Undertaking detailed market due diligence and pricing analysis to efficiently underwrite new business opportunities at a fast pace

Investment Committee

• Accountable for preparing materials for multi and single-family ICs; including underwrite models, templated Investment Committee outputs and market commentary, which is to be standardised.
• Accountable for the preparation of accurate and timely minutes of the meetings.

Transaction Management

• Support the New Business team on property disposals, including land and operational assets.
• Support the financial diligence work and oversee the work of external brokers and agents.
• Lead the onboarding of new assets to existing or new investor portfolios for investor reporting, working with the Financial Director to set up the framework.

Debt Management

• Responsible for monitoring and reviewing the debt strategy for all investments including the sourcing, management and refinancing of facilities.
• Support the Finance team on covenant analysis, forecasting and compliance for all debt facilities.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with lenders, brokers and facility agents

Investor Management

• Maintain the relationship with investors to ensure the strategies are understood and delivered by Apache

Leadership and Management Teams

• Establish effective relationships with the members of the Leadership and Management Teams to ensure the Investment Team are business partners to all areas.

Technology and Data

• Under the direction of the CFO, support all workstreams to transform the use of systems for the reporting of financial and operational information with a focus on efficiency and automation of key processes.

Experience and Attributes

• Qualified professional who has worked in an institutional real estate investment team at a leadership level
• Living sector operational experience or exposure would be a key advantage
• Advanced Excel modelling capability, with experience building granular real estate asset and portfolio models for both new business and portfolio management
• Accounting qualification would be an advantage
• Experience in managing and developing a Team 
• Experience in transactions, investment and debt in the real estate sector
• Business partnering track record
• Strong analytical and technical skills
• Self-starter and highlight motivated
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)

Applicants should send their CV and Cover Letter to the london@apachecapital.co.uk email address.  If you need any adjustments to the application process, let us know, we’re happy to help.  

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, where different perspectives are valued and everyone can thrive.

The McEwan development completes with 139 new homes and amenities at the city’s top rated rental neighbourhood

The McEwan, the 476-home rental neighbourhood in Edinburgh’s historic Fountainbridge district has marked the completion of its final phase. 

Located on the site of the former McEwan’s Brewery, Moda, The McEwan is rated the number one BTR neighbourhood in the city on BTR review site Homeviews, with 139 new homes opening the doors to their new residents. 

Spanning 140,000 sq ft, the completed development offers 15,000 sq ft of best-in-class amenities, including a 24/7 gym and fitness centre, private dining room, co-working spaces, cinema room, and rooftop terraces with sweeping views of Edinburgh Castle – all included as part of the monthly rent. 

Located in the heart of the capital, The McEwan is conveniently located within walking distance of Haymarket station, the city centre and several major universities, offering excellent connectivity for residents studying or working in Edinburgh. The development was also the first building in Europe to achieve the highest, 3-star Fitwel rating, demonstrating Moda’s commitment to maximising the health and wellbeing of its residents and the wider Edinburgh community.

The neighbourhood was the first development in Scotland to be brought forward by Apache Capital with its investors Harrison Street and NFU Mutual and as part of the prime BTR JV with Moda Living. Robertson Construction Central East has completed the final phase of the remaining 139 high-quality rental homes. These add to the existing mix of studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, ideal for a mixed demographic who make renting their tenure of choice.

Delivery of the neighbourhood’s second phase generated £32.8m of social, local and economic value, with almost £17m spend with SMEs and £18m spent with a local supply chain. The build generated 419 weeks of on-site apprenticeship training, with 244 local people employed on the site. Robertson also achieved the highest possible Considerate Constructors Scheme score while on site, with a 45/45.

Both phases of the neighbourhood were funded by Apache Capital with its investors Harrison Street and NFU Mutual. 

Jamie Snary, Executive Director Asset Management and Operations at Apache Capital said: “The McEwan is another exemplar BTR asset forming part of our prime regional portfolio, bringing another 139 homes into operation adding to the 6,000 units which are either operational or in the development pipeline. Alongside welcoming our new residents we have also secured the first commercial occupiers including a convenience-led retailer which will be opening imminently.”

APACHE CAPITAL CELEBRATES TOPPING OUT OF ITS NEW £300M BUILD TO RENT SCHEME IN BIRMINGHAM

A new 722-home neighbourhood on the edge of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has reached its highest point, marking an exciting construction milestone in the delivery of a vibrant new urban community in the heart of the city.  

In a funding JV led by Apache Capital and its investors Harrison Street and NFU Mutual, the team celebrated the topping out of the Great Charles Street neighbourhood last week. The neighbourhood, located on the former Ludgate Hill Carpark, started on site in April 2023 and is made up of three blocks ranging from six to 39- storeys.

In addition to the one- to three-bedroom homes for rent, the neighbourhood will give residents access to an extensive range of amenities, including a 24/7 gym, co-working spaces, private dining rooms, resident sky lounges, roof terraces, and a cinema room.

These will be complemented by a regular programme of events with a focus on community, health and wellbeing. 

Reactivating a gateway site between the Colmore Business District and the Jewellery Quarter, the new neighbourhood will be surrounded by landscaped green spaces and public realm, aligned with Birmingham City Council’s proposals to create a more accessible and pedestrian-friendly city centre.

The character of city’s iconic Jewellery Quarter is also reflected in the design for the ground floor retail spaces which are expected to be home to boutique shops, independent café-bars and restaurants and wellness amenities. 

Construction of Great Charles Street has seen the continuation of Moda and Sisk’s Skills and Training hub first launched during construction of Moda, The Mercian, and backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

So far, delivery of the project has resulted in: 

• 35 apprentices and graduates trained
• 292 people trained on site 
• 555 local people employed 
• 305 hours spent supporting unemployed people into work 
• 50,000 tonnes of waste either reused or recycled 
• £12m+ spent with local businesses 

To recognise the work of the Skills and Training hub, the Topping Out was marked with talks from four of the 35 apprentices working on the regeneration project. They then made the final concrete pour on top of the building, cementing builder’s tools into the top of the building to secure the legacy of the Skills and Training hub in the development. 

As with all of Apache’s regional city BTR neighbourhoods, Great Charles Street will target leading ESG certifications, including three-star Fitwel certification as part of Moda’s status as a global champion for the healthy building accreditor. 

The project is backed by an investment JV between Apache Capital, Harrison Street and NFU Mutual. The finance deal for the neighbourhood was the largest ever seen in a UK regional city for a BTR development. 

In addition to delivering the new homes, the Apache JV is also working with local stakeholders and partners including West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham City Council and the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, to enhance public spaces in the area. This includes the planned £120,000 transformation of the Livery Street subway, which will improve connectivity between the Jewellery Quarter and the city’s Colmore Business District.

Jamie Snary Executive Director, Asset Management & Operations, at Apache Capital said: “Build-to-Rent is going from strength to strength in Birmingham, and the wider UK. This is our second scheme in the city, building on the success of The Mercian and is a welcome addition to our portfolio of regional city-centre assets. High quality BTR schemes continue to perform and we are excited to see how the community evolves.”

Apache Capital and Moda Group agree land sale in Hove to Homes for Brighton & Hove

• Apache and Moda have agreed to sell a land plot adjacent to BTR neighbourhood in Brighton & Hove, subject to planning permission.

• The site will be delivered by Homes for Brighton & Hove, a joint venture between Brighton & Hove City Council and housing association the Hyde Group.

• The site will see the delivery of more than 300 much-needed affordable homes, subject to planning permission.

June 2025 – The joint venture (JV) between UK-focused living real estate investment manager Apache Capital (Apache) and rental living developer/operator Moda Group (Moda) has agreed to sell a development plot to affordable housing provider Homes for Brighton & Hove. 

Homes for Brighton & Hove was established seven years ago as a joint venture between Brighton & Hove City Council and the Hyde Group, with the purpose of delivering 1,000 lower income households in the city. 

The land disposal marks the final phase of Apache’s and Moda’s build-to-rent (BTR) neighbourhood Moda, Hove Central. The Apache/Moda JV, which was formed in 2015 to own, develop and operate prime multi-family developments in the UK’s core regional cities, has transformed a former trading estate into a new community-focused neighbourhood combining 564 purpose-built rental homes, retail, Grade-A office space and public realm.

More than 70% of the released units at the neighbourhood were let within six months after opening. Residents benefit from access to extensive amenities including a gym, cinema room and co-working spaces. The new homes from Homes for Brighton & Hove will be added to the affordable homes already being delivered at Hove Central. In the final phase of the development, a self-contained office building is also being delivered which will bring much-needed Grade A space to the surrounding community.

The public realm, which accounts for over 60% of the site, includes landscaped communal gardens, retail, and leisure facilities, delivering significant social value to the local community. A £500,000 Public Art Strategy implemented by Moda as part of its S106 contribution will see bespoke pieces by local, national and international artists installed in the public realm, designed in collaboration with Hove Central residents and the local community. 

Apache and Moda’s JV has created one of the largest privately funded BTR platforms in the UK, having delivered over 3,000 homes across Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Birmingham, where it has another 722 homes under construction. KKR funded Hove Central in partnership with Apache.

John Dunkerley, Chief Executive Officer at Apache Capital, said:

“Hove Central is a diverse and multi-faceted masterplan which will now deliver high-quality housing across a range of tenures alongside its positive environmental and social impact on the area.

“We prudently adapted our strategy to satisfy market demand, with the new affordable provision set to supply much-needed social housing in the area and bolster the placemaking credentials of the scheme, which is already a hive of activity despite only opening in Spring 2024.

“Leasing activity at the build-to-rent element illustrates the strength of demand for a living proposition underpinned by high-quality sustainable rental housing, professional management and amenity offerings, which is also seen through investor confidence. Institutional capital continues to be drawn to the sector’s strong structural tailwinds and growth outlook, and one in which Apache has one of the largest operational portfolios.”

Tony Brooks, Executive Chair at Moda Group, said: 

“From site acquisition and planning through to delivery and long-term operation, we have worked closely with Brighton & Hove City Council and the city’s wider community to deliver a neighbourhood that meets its needs and embraces the vibrant spirit of this amazing location. 

“The sale of this final plot to an affordable housing provider is a fitting conclusion, helping to address the city’s housing need while reinforcing our long-term commitment as a partner and neighbour to Brighton & Hove. We look forward to seeing these much-needed homes come to fruition as part of the wider masterplan at Hove Central.”

To date, Homes for Brighton & Hove has delivered almost 350 homes. It is estimated that around 7,500 households are currently on the housing register in Brighton & Hove, with nearly 1,800 currently in emergency and temporary accommodation.”

Jaime Buckley, Hyde Group Development Director, said: “We’ll be applying for planning permission in June 2025 to build 306 affordable homes at Sackville Road, 183 for council-rent and 123 for shared ownership. The homes will be designed to high sustainability standards using renewable energy systems and will deliver 10% biodiversity net gain. Should permission be granted, we hope to start construction in early 2026.”

APACHE CAPITAL APPOINTS BEN O’CONNOR AS IT EXPANDS INVESTMENT AND OPERATIONAL RENTAL LIVING PLATFORM

London, UK – March 2025 – Apache Capital has appointed Ben O’Connor as Portfolio Investment Director as it continues to grow its investment and operational capability under its vertically integrated platform focused on UK rental living.

Ben is a highly experienced investment professional specialising in residential property, with a strong track record in deal origination and execution, portfolio and investment strategy, underwriting and analysis, value-add capital projects, investor relations, and debt strategies. He is also a core committee member of the investor and lender forum for the Association of Rental Living (ARL).

Ben joins from Get Living, where he was a Senior Portfolio Manager in investments, overseeing all origination, acquisition, and divestment opportunities. Prior to Get Living, he worked in investment management and capital markets at Lendlease London. He also brings expertise in technology, innovation, and sustainability, all of which align with Apache Capital’s focus on operational excellence.

During his career, Ben has underwritten over £5bn in living sector transactions, managed investor and shareholder relationships, been an active member of investment committees, overseen fund valuations, development projects, and land holdings, and led the operational performance of large-scale assets. Having lived and worked in North America and Australia, he has extensive international connections and deep experience in global capital markets.

His appointment is the latest in a string of hires to further expand Apache’s in-house operational function, which has been crucial to the success of its prime build-to-rent portfolio of over 3,000 operational homes, delivered in partnership with developer Moda Living, and its newly-launched single-family platform, Present Made, that recently opened its doors to its first purpose-built community, Present Made of Eddington in Q1 2025.

In the last 12 months, Apache has scaled up its operations and added key senior people to the team including Scott Berry who joined in 2024 as Chief Financial Officer having previously been at Watkins Jones, Fresh Property Group, Northstar Asset Management Europe and Fortress Investment Group.

John Dunkerley, chief executive of Apache Capital, said:

“Ben’s appointment is a key step in our strategy to provide tailored solutions to long-term institutional partners in the rental living sector. With a growing portfolio of build to rent assets and our single-family housing platform, Present Made, we are expanding our footprint in key markets. Ben’s expertise in portfolio investment, and his focus on ESG and technology will help drive innovation across our platform. Our in-house operating model is a crucial differentiator in the sector, and Ben’s skillset will be invaluable as we continue to scale. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Ben O’Connor said:

“Apache Capital is a pioneer in build to rent and is taking that same forward-thinking approach into new segments with Present Made. I am excited to bring my experience in rental living, alongside my background in investor relations, sustainability, and technology, to help drive Apache’s next phase of growth. The business has a strong track record in developing high-quality assets with institutional appeal, and I look forward to working with the team to realise its ambitions.”

Apache Capital achieves four star GRESB Rating for operational multi-family build-to-rent assets

Apache Capital has achieved a four star GRESB Rating for its operational platform 1 multi-family build-to-rent assets – which include The Lexington (Liverpool), The Mercian (Birmingham), Holland Park (Glasgow), The McEwan (Edinburgh), and New York Square (Leeds) – for 2024.

Apache achieved a score of 82/100, ranked in 8th place amongst its peer group as a whole, and in 2nd place across select peer groups.

Apache’s results this year underline the strength of its ESG strategy at both a portfolio and corporate level, with GRESB assessing a wide range of performance components relating to operational assets and corporate procedures.  

Maximum scores were achieved in matters relating to Data Monitoring & Review; Tenants & Community; Targets; Risk Assessment; and policies, with high scores in other areas.

They also demonstrate Apache’s commitment to improvement and growth, where its new ESG initiatives resulted in a higher score than last year. 

Director of ESG & Operations, Nikki King, said: “As fiduciaries of institutional capital, we are committed to ensuring sustainability and ESG objectives of our capital partners are comprehensively met. Having one of the UK’s largest operational multi-family portfolios is key to this as it gives us added visibility and data on factors impacting performance, helping to inform the continued development of our strategy.

“We place a strong emphasis not only on carbon reduction, but also the wellbeing of our residents and surrounding local communities, where we are making long-lasting and meaningful change in our areas of operation to drive value for our investors and uphold our commitment as a responsible member of society.” 

Apache Capital is one of the UK’s most prolific build-to-rent investors. It’s multi-family build-to-rent portfolio – where Moda is developer and operator – is one of the largest in the UK, with over 3,000 homes of its +4,000 home pipeline being operational. Its wholly-owned single-family housing platform, Present Made, has two schemes in its portfolio; a 373 development in Cambridge, which is under construction, and a 650 home tri-tenure scheme in Bedford being delivered through a joint venture with Miller Homes. 

Apache Capital appoints General Manager from Hines’ student brand for flagship single-family development

Apache Capital’s suburban build-to-rent platform Present Made has appointed Jack Hughes as General Manager for its debut scheme

373-home neighbourhood sits is being delivered in collaboration with the University of Cambridge

Present Made of Eddington has been funded by Nuveen Real Estate and Apache Capital partnership, with debt finance from BGO

UK-focused living real estate investment manager Apache Capital has appointed a General Manager for Present Made of Eddington – the maiden development of Apache Capital’s single-family build-to-rent (BTR) platform, Present Made. 

As General Manager for Present Made of Eddington, Jack Hughes will oversee all aspects of the development’s operations once the scheme reaches full practical completion. Construction works started earlier this year, with the first homes set to be ready for move-in in early 2025. 

Hughes has a background working in the operational living sector in Cambridge through his previous role as General Manager at The Cam Foundry for aparto student, the European student accommodation brand of global real estate investment manager Hines. There, he oversaw day-to-day site operations and supported with new site mobilisations across Europe. 

Present Made of Eddington will deliver 373 rental homes – including the UK’s first family houses to be designed and built exclusively for rent – and forms a key part of the University of Cambridge’s 150-hectare North West Cambridge masterplan. The masterplan includes 3,000 homes (of which 50% are for University key workers as affordable housing), 2,000 student beds, 100,000 sq. m. of employment space and 5,300 sq. m. of retail.  

In addition to high-quality housing built exclusively for rent, Present Made of Eddington will provide a range of amenities and shared spaces, including a communal pavilion, gym, yoga studio, private dining room, bike café, games room, cinema and co-working space. This will make Present Made of Eddington Cambridge’s first purpose-built and designed rental housing development with on-site professional management and amenity provision.  

The Present Made team will provide round-the-clock resident support, be responsible for all maintenance as well as running a year-long calendar of social and wellbeing activities. These will include zero waste pop-ups, cycling and running clubs, cultural celebrations, live music, art classes, cooking classes, charitable events and talks from inspirational people. 

Present Made of Eddington has been funded through a partnership between Nuveen Real Estate and Apache Capital, with debt finance coming from BGO. 

Jack Hughes, General Manager, Present Made of Eddington, said: “This as an incredible opportunity to play a leading role in the launch and ongoing operations of a truly unique housing development. 

“Combining my own background with Apache Capital’s experience in operating purpose-built student accommodation and prime multi-family, we will look to deliver a first-class experience for the residents of Present Made of Eddington.” 

Alan Penfold, Managing Director, Present Made, said: “Jack will play an important role in ensuring that the hospitality-like service that defined our prime multi-family strategy is replicated at our flagship single-family development. 

“Residents at Present Made of Eddington will benefit from living in a secure, modern, and sustainable neighbourhood with a first-of-its-kind amenity and service offering in Cambridge, helping raise standards in the local rental market.” 

Apache Capital announces CFO appointment and senior promotions

• Watkin Jones plc’s Commercial Finance Director joins as Chief Financial Officer
• Other roles include CFO positions at Northstar Asset Management and Fortress Investment Group
• Claire Ezekwe and Andy Hill promoted to Director positions at Apache

Apache Capital, a leading UK real estate investment manager focused on the living sectors, has appointed Scott Berry, Watkin Jones plc’s ex Group Commercial Finance Director, to the newly-created role of Chief Finance Officer. Apache’s Claire Ezekwe and Andy Hill have also been promoted to Director positions.

Scott joins Apache after almost six years at Watkin Jones plc and its third-party operational management business, Fresh Property Group, where he was Commercial Finance Director. Across both roles, Scott was responsible for the management of over 20,000 units across the build-to-rent and student accommodation sectors.

Scott’s 20+ years in finance has also included CFO positions at Northstar Asset Management, helping to launch the European business, and Fortress Investment Group, where he managed the finance teams in London, Frankfurt and Luxembourg for their Eurocastle investment vehicle.  

He will report to Chairman Mervyn Howard and Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer John Dunkerley, overseeing finance activities including tax planning, financial reporting and budget management; and contribute to the development of Apache’s internal operational platform. He will also support relations with Apache’s investors across multi-family build-to-rent – where it has a joint venture with Moda – and single-family housing, through its wholly-owned single-family housing platform Present Made. Investors currently include Harrison Street, NFU Mutual, KKR and Nuveen Real Estate. 

John Dunkerley, CEO, Apache Capital: “Scott brings with him incredible experience from the worlds of operational real estate and institutional investment. As the UK living sectors mature, we see ‘in-sourced’ operational excellence as being a key differentiator for investment managers, and Scott will help us bolster our operational capabilities as we look to scale our multi- and single-family build-to-rent strategies.”

Scott Berry, CFO, Apache Capital, said: “Apache Capital’s market-leading position was a big pull factor for me, with the business having a proven track record in assembling best-in-class portfolios that are underpinned by solid operations. We share the view that build-to-rent is still in the early days of the journey to becoming a mature, mainstream institutional asset class like purpose-built student accommodation, and that managers with genuine operational know-how and experience will stand to benefit from the sector’s growth.”

Andy Hill, who joined Apache in 2021, has been promoted to Director of multi-family housing, overseeing Apache’s multi-family build-to-rent strategy which currently includes over 4,000 apartments across 8 developments, 3,000 of which are now operational.

As part of his new role, Hill will assume lead responsibility for the management of acquisitions into the platform, investment and asset management, refinancings, recapitalisations and exit scenarios. Hill’s remit will also include the expansion of new strategies across the living sector, and to further strengthen Apache’s relationships with investment partners, including existing partners, Harrison Street, NFU Mutual, and KKR.

Claire Ezekwe becomes Apache’s new Director for Transactions & Structuring. Ezekwe will lead the firm in the provision of legal expertise across its multi-family and single-family strategies, which includes Present Made, Apache’s wholly owned single-family housing platform. Her role will encompass acting as the legal and transactional lead on real estate acquisitions, development opportunities, financings and disposals. In addition to managing external legal counsel, she will also be involved in deal structuring, due diligence and contract negotiation.    

Mervyn Howard, Executive Chairman, Apache Capital: “Hiring external talent while also nurturing that within our business will be critical to realising our mission of being the go-to partner for institutional capital looking to access the UK living sectors. We are pleased to have someone of Scott’s calibre join us, and also see the progress of Andy and Claire, who have both played crucial roles in our growth to date.”

Apache Capital, Nuveen and The University of Cambridge celebrate construction works at Present Made of Eddington

The beginning of construction works at the UK’s first purpose-built-and-designed single-family housing development has been formally celebrated.
Stakeholders for Present Made of Eddington, the first development from Apache Capital’s single-family housing platform Present Made and delivered in partnership with Nuveen Real Estate and The University of Cambridge, came together to celebrate the construction works that began in Q4 2023. 

It is the first scheme from the Apache Capital and Nuveen Real Estate joint venture, formed in October 2023. 

The JV will operate on a programmatic basis, with each site assessed individually. Nuveen Real Estate and Apache Capital will work together to continue to source other opportunities to grow Present Made’s portfolio.   

Present Made of Eddington forms a key part of the University’s 150-hectare North West Cambridge masterplan, which includes 3,000 homes (of which 50% are for University key workers as affordable housing), 2,000 student beds, 100,000 sq. m. of employment space and 5,300 sq. m. of retail.  

Alongside high-quality housing built exclusively for rent, Present Made of Eddington will provide a range of amenities and shared spaces, including a communal pavilion, gym, yoga studio, private dining room, bike café, games room, cinema and co-working space. This will make Present Made of Eddington Cambridge’s first purpose-built and designed rental housing development with on-site professional management and amenity provision.  

The Present Made team will provide round-the-clock resident support, be responsible for all maintenance as well as running a year-long calendar of social and wellbeing activities. These will include zero waste pop-ups, cycling and running clubs, cultural celebrations, live music, art classes, cooking classes, charitable events and talks from inspirational people.  

Start on-site at Present Made of Eddington is expected later this month. Bennett Construction has been appointed as main contractor, with practical completion expected in late 2025. Alternative lender BentallGreenOak has provided a development loan facility for the project.  

The scheme is targeting Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 and will be compliant with the new Part L Building Regulations, which will see a dramatic enhancement to energy efficiency and reduction in CO2 emissions.  

UKAA announces new Investor and Lender Forum Chair and committee

The UK Apartment Association (UKAA) has appointed Ashley Perry as the new Chair of its Investor and Lender Forum.

Perry, who is investment director at UK living real estate investment manager Apache Capital, was previously Vice-Chair of the Forum and replaces CBRE’s Jason Hardman, who has completed his two year period as Chair. 

Perry has been with Apache Capital since 2022, helping to shape the company’s mutli-family investment strategies which include a 6,000+ home build-to-rent (BTR) joint venture with Moda Living. Present Made, Apache Capital’s single-family housing platform, is to be funded in a joint venture with Nuveen Real Estate. Across both its multi- and single-family strategies, Apache Capital has completed over £1bn of debt and equity funding transactions in the past 12 months.

UKAA’s Investor and Lender Forum, which acts as educational network for the BTR finance community, will also create a committee that brings together pre-eminent UK BTR lenders and investors to help broaden the sector’s appeal to a wider selection of lenders. 

The committee is made up of leading representatives of the BTR investment community, including Realstar, Lloyds Banking Group, CBRE, Bridges Fund Management, Get Living, Invesco, Patrizia and M&G Real Estate.

The Investor and Lender Forum will also support the UKAA’s expansion into the single-family housing (SFH) sector, following the creation of a formal partnership with the British Property Federation (BPF) last month. Build-to-rent’s major lobbying groups have partnered to support the build-out of a joint policy and political engagement framework, acting as a single voice for one of UK housing market’s fastest growing sub-sectors. 

The record £1bn invested into SFH in the first nine months of 2023 was more than triple the amount for the whole of 2022, according to Savills. International and domestic Investors have been targeting a mixture of ground-up development and existing stock strategies, with structural drivers including a cooling housing market, attractive supply-demand dynamics, and access to inflation-linked, long-term income streams.

Ashley Perry, Chair of Investor and Lender Forum, UKAA, said: “The Investor and Lender Forum has made fantastic progress in the last two years, being an important educational, networking and knowledge-sharing platform that supports the wider objectives of the UKAA.

“Professional rental housing is one of institutional capital’s most favoured asset classes in the UK, with organisations such as the UKAA and BPF helping to shape a favourable policy climate that lowers the barriers to entry and maximises the potential of the build-to-rent and single-family housing sectors.”

Brendan Geraghty, CEO, UKAA, said: “We thank Jason Hardman for his support and service to the UKAA as former-Chair of the Investor and Lender Forum and value his continued contribution to the new committee. The UKAA warmly welcomes Ashley Perry as the new Chair; a tireless advocate for the UK BTR sector and through his role at Apache Capital, an early pioneer in BTR that has been behind a string of landmark deals, will provide invaluable insight to the members of the Investor and Lender Forum.”

The UKAA was founded in 2016 and has established itself as the representative body for institutionally backed, professionally managed rental homes and the voice of the whole BTR sector.  Its 330 members are comprised of the UK’s leading investors, operators, developers, advisors, and suppliers in the residential rental sector.